Duke DPT Summer Discovery Program

Are you interested in the profession of Physical Therapy or related health care fields? If your answer is YES, then the Duke DPT Summer Discovery Program was created withYOU in mind!

When: June 29–July 2, 2020
Where: Durham, North Carolina
Please note, the SDP 2020 application is now closed.

The Program

The Summer Discovery Program is designed to expose undergraduate students with a keen interested in PT to the profession of physical therapy and to the Duke DPT experience. This program is for students interested in the profession of physical therapy, especially those from demographic communities that are currently underrepresented among licensed physical therapists, including racial and ethnic minorities. 

This is an intensive week that will immerse participants completely in the profession of physical therapy. At the end of this week participants will have gained exposure to multiple areas in the profession and have the information needed to be more competitive and to more effectively matriculate into doctor of physical therapy programs.

Participants will have access to some of the top faculty in the profession of physical therapy; will have interdisciplinary opportunities (PTs, OTs, nurses, exercise physiologists, etc.); receive mentorship from current Duke DPT students, faculty, local clinicians, and admission specialists; as well as take advantage of Duke’s state of the art facilities.

Objectives

Participation in the Duke DPT Summer Discovery Program will provide:

• Engaged, structured exposure to:
  • Physical Therapy as a profession, including career tracks and specialties
  • Duke DPT Facilities
  • Duke DPT course content and learning opportunities
  • Duke University Campus amenities
• Meaningful interactions with current students, faculty, alumni, and staff
• Introduction to the Durham locale
• Mentorship as it relates to the DPT program, applying, and matriculation process 
• Continued mentorship after the conclusion of the program

Logistics

• Participation includes a 4-day summer immersion experience at no cost to invited students (other than travel to and from Durham).
• Participants are provided with housing during this week and meals are provided (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
• Participants will be assigned in double-occupancy housing within walking distance to program facilities.
• Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the program; however, all travel during the program will be provided.
• Attendance at all program events is required for all participants.

Eligibility

The program is open to current undergraduate students interested in the profession of physical therapy and/or related health science professions. If a student is a current undergraduate student at the time of application, then they are eligible to apply. The program is open to all applicants; however, preference will be given to demographics that are underrepresented within the profession of physical therapy, disadvantaged/first generation to attend college, or students interested in serving underrepresented populations.

Successful applicants will:

• Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0